Delhi Blast Probe Reveals Strategic Aim: Imposing Economic Shock And Political Pressure | Exclusive Details

Last Updated:November 13, 2025, 17:26 IST

News18 has accessed interrogation details in the case, revealing that the attackers’ main purpose was to create widespread and cascading disruption

Thirteen people were killed and over 20 others were injured when a car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort Metro station on November 10. (Photo Credit: X)

Exclusive interrogation details in the Delhi blast case accessed by CNN-News18 reveal that the incident was not intended solely as a lethal attack but was a calculated terrorist act with the strategic aim of imposing economic shock and intense political pressure on the government. The attackers’ main purpose was to create widespread and cascading disruption.

The objective was to force systemic chaos, including economic disruption, healthcare paralysis, MNC operational losses, and airport and flight chaos, all designed to fundamentally undermine public confidence in the state’s security and stability. This is described as a “classic strategy to amplify" stress and strain on government resources, thereby creating immense political pressure.

To maximise the economic cost per attack and attract sustained media attention, the perpetrators focused their target selection on high-value, high-visibility soft targets. These included hospitals, multinational offices, airports, and major transport hubs. Disruption in these critical sectors causes damaging ripple effects on supply chains, investor confidence, tourism, and business travel that extend far beyond the immediate physical damage.

Crucially, reconnaissance (recce) was conducted on major hospitals like Medanta, Max, and Fortis, as well as on MNCs and airports near the National Capital Region (NCR). This surveillance aimed to understand key entry and exit chokepoints and timing windows, confirming that the planners’ idea was to understand the operational flow of these institutions. The primary motivation was clearly systemic disruption rather than simply achieving a high death toll.

Thirteen people were killed and over 20 others were injured when a car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort Metro station on November 10. The car was being driven by Dr Umar Mohammed, alias Umar un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor working at the Al Falah University in Faridabad.

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

News cities Delhi Blast Probe Reveals Strategic Aim: Imposing Economic Shock And Political Pressure | Exclusive Details

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